The highly anticipated sequel to TVB’s hit drama Queen of the News, which has captured over 1.8 million viewers and achieved the highest ratings for the network since 2021, is facing criticism regarding its on-screen realism from a former industry insider. While the series successfully portrays the high stakes and cutthroat chaos typical of fictional newsrooms, a veteran anchor has detailed significant inaccuracies, particularly in the depiction of live weather reporting. The drama, starring returning leads Charmaine Sheh, Selena Lee, and Samantha Ko alongside new antagonist Bosco Wang, focuses on the intense professional rivalries that dominate modern cable news.
Anchor Highlights Real-World Demands of Broadcasting
Gigi Sun, a 34-year-old former TVB finance and weather anchor who transitioned to academia earlier this year, recently leveraged her experience to pull back the curtain on the demanding realities of news production. Speaking out against a specific weather segment featured in the new season, Sun emphasized the meticulous preparation required for live broadcasts that the drama largely overlooks.
“What appears as a short few minutes on air necessitates a rigorous process,” Sun explained, detailing how presenters must meticulously review every update from the meteorological observatory. “We choose key points, then rewrite and refine the official data to suit the show’s specific time slot, all while ensuring graphic synchronization,” she added. This preparation is critical for maintaining accuracy and narrative flow in a fast-paced environment.
Sun, who now holds an Assistant Programme Leader position at the Education University of Hong Kong after serving as a lecturer at City University’s School of Media and Communication, contrasted her experience with the show’s portrayal of a weather reporter, played by Rosita Kwok, suggesting the fictional character’s demeanor was overly casual and simplified.
Debunking ‘Cute and Flirty’ Newsroom Stereotypes
The former anchor specifically challenged the dramatic liberties taken with presenter conduct, refuting the show’s suggestion that anchors memorize scripts or engage in unprofessional on-air antics. Sun clarified that contemporary news studios are optimized for efficiency and precision, utilizing teleprompters and 360-degree camera setups.
She was particularly critical of the show’s incorporation of “cute and flirty” behavior and a scene involving opening an umbrella indoors during the broadcast. “Absolutely not,” Sun stated emphatically. “The weather segment is integral to the news program, and accuracy is always the priority. Opening an umbrella in the studio? That would never happen.”
The critique has sparked a spirited online debate among viewers and netizens. Many were fascinated by Sun’s behind-the-scenes revelations, leading to further discussion about the day-to-day operations of a major news organization. However, others defended the show, viewing the dramatic exaggeration as a necessary element of fictional entertainment.
“Everyone knows it’s fictional and exaggerated,” one netizen commented, suggesting that audiences understand the dramatic heightened reality inherent to television.
Despite the split reactions, Sun’s intervention serves as a valuable reminder that while entertainment dramas provide compelling narratives, they often sanitize or distort the complex professional rigor that underpins real journalism. Her analysis underscores the dedication required by professionals who prioritize objective, real-time reporting over dramatic flair. Ultimately, the industry expert’s perspective offers audiences a more informed view of the unwavering commitment to accuracy demanded within high-stakes broadcasting.